Barnes & Noble

A most welcome throwback to Hollywood movies of an earlier era, The Illusionist strives to keep its audience entertained in style; and through an unusually intricate script, unerring direction, perceptive performances, and meticulous production design, it succeeds mightily. Brilliantly blending aspects of period romance, supernatural thriller, and the whodunit, The Illusionist centers on Eisenheim (Edward Norton), a celebrated stage magician in turn-of-the-century Vienna who provokes the ire of Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). Caught between the two men is the clever Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti), who admires the illusionist while trying to uncover his secrets. The serpentine twists of the often bewildering but devilishly ingenious plotline will keep even the most perceptive at bay until the film’s closing minutes. In keeping with its theme, The Illusionist is a layered, multidimensional work. Some viewers will latch onto the theme of unrequited love, others will fix their attention on the magician’s craft, and still others will concentrate on fitting together the murder puzzle’s pieces. But all will be captivated by this richly textured drama, one of 2006’s very best motion pictures. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

A supernaturally talented magician attempts to undermine the rigid social structure of turn-of-the-century Vienna by using his powers to win the love of his upper-class, childhood sweetheart in director Neil Burger's cinematic adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Steven Millhauser's short story. Though the ill-fated childhood romance between cabinetmaker's son Eisenheim (Edward Norton) and upper-class Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel) eventually resulted in the heartbroken young man leaving Austria to explore the world, his dreams of one day reuniting with the beautiful duchess never faded. Upon returning to Vienna 15 years later as a talented and renowned illusionist, Eisenheim's hopes of a reunion seem dashed when he learns that Sophie is currently engaged to the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). As the tensions between the Eisenheim and Leopold elevate, urbane Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) finds his sympathy toward Eisenheim growing, despite his formal obligations to the powerful prince. Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 024543402374
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 2
• Aspect Ratio: Alternate Wide Screen (1.78:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 1:49:00
• Sales Rank: 7,444

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